Ai Weiwei

AI WEIWEI (Beijing, 1957).
"Glass Vase (Coca-Cola)," 2023.
Translucent red fused glass vase, with custom box.
Edition of 300.
Hand signed and numbered.
Includes certificate of authenticity and engraved signature on the base.
Provenance: acquired from the publisher by the present owner.
Measurements: 19 x 21 x 21cm (vase); 29,5 x 29,5 x 29,5 x 29,5 cm (box).

In this piece, Ai Weiwei reinterprets one of the most iconic gestures of his career: the intervention of traditional Chinese forms by incorporating symbols of contemporary global culture. The "Coca-Cola" motif, recurrent in his work since the 1990s, acts as a potent sign of tension between tradition and modernity, authenticity and consumption.

Made of fused glass in an intense translucent red color, the vase combines the formal purity of classic ceramics with an industrial and contemporary finish. The choice of red - a color loaded with meanings in Chinese culture - reinforces the dialogue between cultural heritage and globalization.

Ai Weiwei is one of the most prominent artists and activists in contemporary art. His work encompasses sculpture, installation, architecture, photography and film, and is characterized by a strong political and social commitment.

Son of the poet Ai Qing, he lived in exile during his childhood and later trained in the United States, where he came into contact with conceptual art. Upon his return to China, he developed his own language based on the reinterpretation of traditional objects and criticism of power structures.

His work has been exhibited in institutions around the world, such as the Tate Modern in London, the MoMA in New York or the Venice Biennale. His practice combines historical research, activism and reflection on globalization, consolidating him as a key figure in 21st century art.